Symptomatic FIT for Colon Cancer Detection, a Pilot Study

What this study involves

The registry does not currently label this study as recruiting. Ask about its status before planning a screening visit.

Study type

Observational

Phase

Not applicable / not listed

Age range

18 years - Not specified

Sex eligible

All sexes

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

Participants

40 Estimated

These are starting points, not an eligibility decision. The research team must review the full requirements.

About the research

This pilot study will assess whether a larger study of stool testing for colorectal cancer is practical. It plans to enroll 40 adults born in 1960 or later who have new symptoms that could be related to colorectal cancer. Participants will collect a stool sample at home using a fecal immunochemical test (FIT), complete a questionnaire, and undergo blood tests and colonoscopy as part of their usual medical care. Researchers will compare research FIT results with colonoscopy findings and assess recruitment, sample collection, and completion of study activities. Research FIT results will not routinely be shared with participants or their clinicians. If a research FIT result is abnormal and colonoscopy has not been completed within six months, the study team will notify the primary care provider to encourage colonoscopy follow-up.

Who may be able to participate?

The list below is the sponsor’s full registry wording. It can include conditions, prior treatment, test results and other requirements. A match in search does not mean you qualify.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults 18 years or older, born in 1960 or later.
• Newly reported signs or symptoms potentially consistent with colorectal cancer: hematochezia, persistent abdominal pain, altered bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea, or narrow stools), unintentional weight loss greater than 5 pounds, or iron deficiency anemia. Symptoms must not have been reported to the primary care provider before the index visit.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Acute symptoms within 14 days requiring urgent evaluation.
• Up-to-date colorectal cancer screening: colonoscopy within 10 years, sigmoidoscopy within 5 years, FIT within 1 year, or multitarget stool DNA/RNA or cell-free DNA testing within 3 years.
• Prior colorectal cancer, colorectal resection, hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome (including Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis), or inflammatory bowel disease.
• Documented infectious cause that clinically explains the symptoms. A negative infectious workup or absence of an infectious workup does not exclude participation.
• Pregnancy.
• Lack of health insurance for usual-care procedures.

Study population

UC San Diego Health primary care patients born in 1960 or later with newly identified signs or symptoms potentially consistent with colorectal cancer. Potential participants will be identified through electronic health record screening and clinician or patient outreach.

Treatment, groups and participation

The registry may describe treatments and study duration without a complete visit calendar. Ask the study team for the exact schedule, procedures, risks, costs and alternatives. Keep your usual care plan unless your treating clinician tells you otherwise.

Assignment

Not reported

Masking

Not reported

What researchers are measuring

Outcome measures describe what is being studied. They are not proof that a treatment works.

Primary measures

Secondary measures

Research locations (1)

The overall study status and a local site’s status can differ. Confirm that location’s availability before traveling.

1 locations

Study team and timeline

Lead sponsor

University of California, San Diego

Study start

Nov 2, 2026 Estimated

Primary completion

Oct 31, 2027 Estimated

Study completion

Oct 31, 2027 Estimated

First posted

Nov 10, 2026 Actual

Last updated

Nov 10, 2026 Actual

Official study contacts